Sean “Diddy” Combs’ racketeering trial resumed on Monday after a delayed start due to a juror running late. Dawn Richard, a former member of the MTV reality series “Making the Band” and a musical group called Danity Kane, was back on the stand to continue her testimony.
Richard alleged that Sean Combs physically abused Cassie Ventura, another member of Danity Kane, in 2009. She claimed to have witnessed Combs attack Ventura with a skillet, saying he would punch, choke, drag, and slap her multiple times. Richard stated that she told Ventura to leave Combs, but when he found out about their conversations, he warned her to stay out of their relationship or face consequences.
During cross-examination, defense attorney Nicole Westmoreland questioned Richard’s career success after leaving Danity Kane. Richard replied that Combs’ actions had a significant impact on her music career, making it difficult for her to succeed.
On redirect, Assistant US Attorney Mitzi Steiner asked Richard if she had previously told prosecutors about the alleged threats and abuse by Combs. Richard confirmed this, stating she had told them in every meeting with prosecutors.
The prosecution then called Kerry Morgan, a former best friend of Cassie Ventura’s, to the stand. Morgan testified that she was subpoenaed to testify but didn’t want to be there. She stated that Sean Combs assaulted Ventura on two occasions and was not intoxicated or high during these incidents. Morgan also shared messages between herself and one of Combs’ assistants following an incident in 2016, where surveillance cameras captured Combs dragging and kicking Ventura at the InterContinental Hotel.
Morgan encouraged Ventura to speak with police after the 2016 incident but didn’t call them herself because Ventura didn’t want her to. She had previously planned to file a lawsuit against Combs after being assaulted by him in Ventura’s apartment in 2018, but ultimately did not.
Source: https://edition.cnn.com/entertainment/live-news/diddy-sean-combs-trial-05-19-25